Exploring Tariffs Imposed on the U.S. Prior to the Trump Administration
What tariffs were imposed on the US before Trump?
The history of tariffs in the United States is a complex and multifaceted one, with various tariffs being imposed over the years for a variety of reasons. Before the presidency of Donald Trump, the United States had been subject to a range of tariffs that were both domestic and international in nature. These tariffs were often used to protect domestic industries, to promote economic growth, or to retaliate against foreign countries’ trade policies.
One of the earliest examples of tariffs in the United States was the Tariff of 1789, also known as the “Tariff Act of 1789.” This was the first federal revenue-raising law and was intended to protect American manufacturers from foreign competition. The Tariff of 1816, another significant tariff, was imposed to protect American agriculture and industry from European imports.
The Tariff Act of 1828, also known as the “Tariff of Abominations,” was one of the most contentious tariffs in U.S. history. It was designed to protect Northern manufacturers at the expense of Southern planters, who relied heavily on imported goods. This tariff led to the nullification crisis, a constitutional controversy that threatened to lead to war between the states.
The Tariff of 1842, also known as the “Ashburton Treaty Tariff,” was another significant tariff that was imposed as a result of the Ashburton Treaty of 1842, which settled a boundary dispute between the United States and the United Kingdom. This tariff was intended to maintain a balance between protectionism and free trade.
The McKinley Tariff of 1890, named after President Benjamin Harrison’s Secretary of the Treasury, was one of the most protective tariffs in U.S. history. It was designed to protect American industries from foreign competition and was a significant factor in the rise of the Republican Party as the party of protectionism.
The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, imposed during the Great Depression, was one of the most controversial tariffs in U.S. history. This tariff was intended to protect American industries from foreign competition, but it actually exacerbated the economic downturn by leading to a sharp increase in retaliatory tariffs from other countries.
The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) was established in 1947 to promote free trade and reduce tariffs among member countries. The United States played a significant role in the creation of GATT and has been a member since its inception.
In the years leading up to the presidency of Donald Trump, the United States had continued to negotiate trade agreements and adjust its tariff policies. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), signed in 1994, was a significant trade agreement that eliminated many tariffs between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Under the Obama administration, the United States continued to engage in trade negotiations and pursue a policy of free trade. However, some tariffs were still imposed for specific purposes, such as the steel tariffs imposed in 2018 to protect the domestic steel industry.
In summary, before the presidency of Donald Trump, the United States had a long history of imposing tariffs for a variety of reasons, including protecting domestic industries, promoting economic growth, and retaliating against foreign countries. These tariffs have been both domestic and international in nature and have played a significant role in shaping the country’s economic and trade policies.
